PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has recommended Vice Chancellor of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar Dr Muhammad Sadiq Khattak for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, even as an inquiry into a disputed postdoctoral certificate submitted during his appointment remains pending with the provincial Higher Education Department.
Documents available with Pakhtun Digital show that the eligibility criteria for appointment as UET Peshawar vice chancellor included five years of administrative or postdoctoral experience. Dr Khattak, however, is reported to have submitted a certificate showing one year of postdoctoral experience, which was considered in assessing his eligibility.
According to the documents, the certificate covers the period from April 1, 2012, to March 30, 2013, and states that Dr Khattak carried out research at a laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States.
The document has come under scrutiny because UET records indicate that Dr Khattak resumed his duties at the university on Aug 17, 2012. A notification issued by UET on Sept 20, 2012, also says that his remaining study leave was cancelled and that he was granted a postdoctoral allowance.
The apparent overlap between the period mentioned on the certificate and his official duties at UET has prompted questions about the validity of the postdoctoral experience cited in his appointment process.
Sources have described the certificate as allegedly fake, but its authenticity has not been conclusively established. The matter remains subject to verification by the relevant authorities.
The inquiry, reportedly pending before the Higher Education Department for several months, has also become the subject of legal proceedings after a professor claimed to have been affected by the delay approached the court.
Meanwhile, Dr Khattak’s nomination for the Sitara-i-Imtiaz has brought renewed attention to the unresolved issue. The civil award has been recommended in recognition of his academic and professional services.
The pending inquiry has raised questions about whether the status of the disputed credential was considered before the recommendation was made and what implications its findings could have for his appointment and the award.
If the certificate is authenticated, the allegations concerning his credentials would be addressed. Conversely, any finding of irregularity could raise questions about the eligibility basis of his appointment and related official decisions.
Dr Khattak’s position on the matter was not available for comment. The final status of the certificate will depend on the outcome of the Higher Education Department’s inquiry.
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